Premiership Rugby has announced that the Saints' Aviva Premiership semi-final will be played on Friday, May 16th.

The game will be played on Friday night regardless of whether the Saints are at home or away in the semi-finals. Meanwhile Saracens' home semi-final will be played on Saturday, May 17th.

Premiership Rugby has made the decision to allow all of the English clubs involved in European finals as much preparation time as possible, with the Saints playing in the Amlin Challenge Cup final on Friday, May 23rd.

Having secured a play-off spot after the Round 20 win over London Irish, the Saints will find out their semi-final opponent this coming Saturday. Depending on how results pan out this weekend, the team will be either playing Leicester or Bath at home, or Leicester away.

"We are delighted that three of our teams have reached European finals this season and it is important we do all we can when scheduling fixtures to give them as much chance of success as possible," said Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty.

"I would like to put on record our thanks for the co-operation of our broadcast partner, BT Sport, in making this decision. They played a key role in this arrangement to back the English clubs in Europe.

"Friday evening has been a big success this season and has produced some great matches. With an Aviva Premiership Rugby Final spot now at stake, I'm sure the atmosphere and the occasion will go up another few notches."

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINALSSemi-Final One
Northampton Saints or Leicester Tigers at home (7.45pm on Friday, May 16th)